Winter's Coming

[Munkustrap Etc.]

((Characters: Cassandra, Cattivo, Etcetera, Hendrunkus, Jellylorum, Macavity, Mungojerrie, Munkustrap, Plato, Quaxo, Rumpleteazer, Ruusu, Tumblebrutus, Zalika

Thread Summary: Zalika enters the junkyard, badly beaten up, as bait to distract Munkustrap while Hendrunkus kidnaps Quaxo. While the adults (and Etcy) coo over the hurt kitten, Quaxo finds himself in Macavity's clutches.

The Jellicles run to the rescue, and much fighting ensues. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer get "drowned," Plato gets beat up by Cattivo, Munkustrap kills Cattivo, Quaxo's been injured by Pollicles and Monniks, Macavity gets torn up by Quaxo and Munkustrap, and Tumblebrutus walks away without a scratch. Plato and Tumblebrutus, though, learn of Quaxo's secret.

Zalika manages to get out after Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer reveal they aren't drowned, and Etcetera falls incredibly hard for Zalika, so much so that she doesn't even mind him being a Monnik.))

Munkustrap's soul-searching yesterday had given him no real answers and two injured cats. Not wanting to repeat that mess, he chose instead to spend the day alone in his den, emerging a few hours before sunset to begin patrolling the yard. He treated his human to a purr and ankle rub, which brought a smile to the man's face (it helped that the man had brought him some fish). With that taken care of, Munkustrap began making his way around the perimeter of the yard, checking the fences to make sure there were no major holes for Pollicles or Macavity's henchcats to enter through. He had spent too many days doing nothing, and needed to get back to work.

A chill wind blew through the chain link fencing, and Munkustrap shivered, ducking his head. Winter would be coming before too long, and with winter would come snow and ice and food shortages. Munkustrap hated winter. It was the most dangerous season of the year. In the past, there had been kittens who died during the winter from nothing the adults could have helped with, and one tragic year when Munkustrap was new to the tribe, a kitten had wandered out and frozen to death.

There had been no lost kitten deaths since Munkustrap took over as protector, but the cold of winter and the shortage of food always made things tricky. The best dens in the yard would need to be outfitted for group usage, with extra insulation brought in, and they would need to start smuggling food in with the help of the house cats - dry cat food, though rather tasteless, was nourishing and would last. There was a lot that needed to be done before the snows hit.

Munkustrap smiled to himself. Snow, though cold and dangerous, was also fun to play in, and watching the youngest tribe members discover this never failed to bring a smile to his face. Etcetera, Electra, and Jemima were all too young to remember snow. Pouncival might, but, at the same time, he might have been too young as well. The thought of Etcetera and snow already made Munkustrap chuckle.

[Arya]

(I'll wait for Sceans post.)

[[scean]]

A smooth breeze brushed through the fur of a tiny black kitten. The one-year-old tomkitten was beaten badly, or so it seemed, and if he wasn't... he faked it well. Long whiskers brushed against the ground as the kitten dragged himself along, into Jellicle territory. He gave a little mew, spotting a grey tabby not far from where he laid.

"Help me," the black kitten called, shivering a little and letting out a little cough to emphasize his condition as he crawled wearily toward the grey tabby nearby. His ears were fallen back and his tail - what was left of it, since it had been ripped off halfway - was tucked between his legs. The young kitten broke into a coughing fit as he fell to the ground, hoping to get the attention of the older tabby. "Sir, please..."

Long gashes covered his back, and they were bleeding. One of his ears looked as if it had been bitten in half, and it too was bleeding. The yearling looked as if he wouldn't make it unless he got help; he was holding his stomach and convulsing violently, coughing up blood and spitting it on the ground and letting out a low groan.

-----

Quaxo slept soundly in his den. He had decided to take Jellylorum's advice and sleep away his injuries - only for a couple days, though. He had let down all of his guard, and he was fully asleep for once, instead of the usual half-sleep cats got. The magician's tail curled around his body as he slept on the cushions in his den, his ears folded back against his head and not moving at all. The only movement was the slight twitch of his chest as he breathed, and the occasional twitch of his tail or his nose from a sudden dream or itch.

-----

Another black cat slipped through an opening in the gate, slinking across the Junkyard in the shadows. Being pitch dark, he was easily hidden from the eyes of many cats; even if one happened to see him, he could easily stop moving and practically melt into the darkness by which he was surrounded.

His dark brown eyes gazed over the territory of enemies, watching out for the Protector his Master had warned him about. Master had been injured in his last fight here... the magical kitten had been frightened, but had gotten a hit in once or twice.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

"Wha-" Munkustrap turned to see the little kitten dragging itself into the junkyard, begging for help. Though he didn't recognize it as one of the Jellicles, he ran to its side nonetheless, stooping down to check its injuries. "Relax, little one," he murmured, stroking a paw along its side. "You are safe here. What is your name?" This kitten was badly injured. Munkustrap carefully gathered the child into his arms, intending on carrying him to Jellylorum. He cradled the broken body against his chest, cursing whoever could be so cruel as to do this to a kitten. Even the Pollicles would have had the mercy of finishing the job and would not have left such a young creature to suffer.

[[scean]]

The kitten turned deep hazel eyes up toward the grey tabby, nestling closer to the older tom's chest. "Z-Zalika," he stuttered, his paw gripping in the tabby's chest fur and his eyes closing one more, the weak kitten not being able to hold them open any longer. Zalika struggled to breathe, his breath coming in wispy gasps that barely filled his lungs; it seemed as if he were hyperventilating, but it was just the fact that the gashes on his chest had nearly pierced his lungs, and he was afraid of breathing in too deeply.

-----

The intruder stopped for a moment as he spotted the Protector with his bait. With the kitten to care for, Hedrunkus knew the Protector would be distracted enough for his mission to be completed. The black tom moved toward the dark green tunnel that was his destination, leaping across light he couldn't avoid to land in front of the tunnel. Hedrunkus slipped inside it, going into the cove behind it and smiling at the sleeping magician. Ah, yes...

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Munkustrap brushed a kiss against the kitten's forehead. "Rest, Zalika. I will protect you."

Etcetera came running out of the nursery dresser when she saw Munkustrap approaching, her squeal of delight turning into a curious coo. "Ooooh, what's that!? It's a kitten! Munky, you birfed a kitten!"

Munkustrap touched his paw to his lips. "Hush, Etcy. He's badly hurt. Run inside and tell your mother to prepare for an injured kitten." He moved slower than Etcetera did, trying to carry Zalika in such a way so as not to injure him further.

[Arya]

"Move ya' butt! Ya' stinkin' butt is layin' on my tail!" Came the loud and normaly annoying voice of Rumpleteazer. "If ya' tail wasn't there then my butt wouldn't be on it!" Came the loud and also annoying voice of her mate, Mungojerrie.

"Shudup!"

"No ya' shudup!"

"No ya' shudup!"

"NO YA' SHUDUP!" Rumple had won the yelling game.

"FINE! I'll move my butt!" Said mungo rolling his eyes. This was a couple that had been together for a wile, the conversation was much different with a new couple.
--------------------------------------------

Laughter rupted through the den, not normal laughter, more like the laughter that people laugh when they are drunk. "Sweetie that is my tail!" Squealed Cassandra giggling like a little kitten. "Oh is that what that thing is?" Came Alonzos voice, he was Cassandra's latest fling.

"Oh shut up you goof." Said the giggling Cassie kissing Alonzo on the nose.

"No you shut up." Sai Alonzo kissing her nose.

"No you shut up." Giggled Cassie kissing Alonzo on the lips, until the couple bursted into making out.

Now lets visit are older couple again.
-----------

"Would ya' stop kicken me!" Came Rumples voice.

"I ain't kicken' ya' I'm iching my foot!" Yelled Mungo.

"No ya' kicken me!" Rang Rumple standing up in the den now.

"We need to get up anyway!" Yelled Mungo standing up also, the couple glared at eachother.

Sad that this is what couples turn into isn't it?

[[scean]]

Zalika turned his gaze slowly upon the hyper female kitten. He gave a tiny groan, having always hated young queens, but played it off as if he was still in pain. The young tom had felt the brush of lips against his forehead and he grimaced, pretending that was from the pain as well. Supposedly he was going to be fixed... hopefully that would give enough time for the mission to be completed. One of Zalika's eyes slid open and he gazed around, taking in the scenery inside the dresser.

-----

Hedrunkus saw the Protector disappear inside the dresser on the other side of the Junkyard. The perfect chance, really. Slipping the magician into his arms carefully, making sure not to wake him, the intruder quickly made his way out of the tunnel and back into the Junkyard. A quick scrutiny of the yard before he slinked back toward the opening in the chain link fence. Soon enough, he was out and practically leaping back to Monnik territory.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Etcetera ducked into her bed as Munkstrap set the new kitten down on the cushions her momma had for the injured cats. She found her two treasures, her snugglebunny and the mouse tail from yesterday's meal (Mistokitty hadn't taken it, after all). She picked them both up and looked between them, finally deciding on the tail. He was a tomkit, after all, and tomkits didn't like to snuggle with Tugger snugglebunnies as much as queenkits. They did like tails, though.

That, and she didn't know the guy. Her snugglebunny was only shared with people she trusted to give him back.

Etcetera jumped down and slipped inbetween her momma and the black kitten, tucking the tail under one of his paws. "For you," she said solemnly. "Sos you can gets better." She turned her head to look at Munkustrap, who was sitting off to the side, watching this exchange. "Is he gonna be a Jellicle with us-es?"

"If he has no other safe home to return to, he is welcome among the Jellicles," Munkustrap answered. "However, if he does, then we shall help him return safely."

"Oh... okay." Etcetera turned back to the little kitten. She had never seen an all black cat before. Mistokitty came close, and he was really pretty, and Rumpus Cat was kinda all-black too, but not like this. If this black cat wasn't so bleeding and icky, he might even be prettier than Mistokitty (but not as pretty as Tugger)! "Wha's yous name? I'm Etcetera, or Etcy, or Cettie."

[Arya]

Rumple marched around the junkyard looking for Munkstrap, finaly when she saw the grey tabby slip into the dresser she ran into it, almost knocking into it but managing to keep her balance. "MUNKY! MUNGO KICKED ME!" She yelled as if they where still little kittens. "SOMEONE SHOUL' PUT EM' IN A TIME OUT!" She added, yup, still kittens inside.
-----------------

Cassandra's ears perked up at the yelling she couldn't make out the words but it was yelling. She sliped out of Alonzo's arms and out her den. She quickly preened herself and smoothed down her fur before going towards the yelling. She stumbled into the dresser, seeing Etcy, Rumple, Munk, and a small kitten she didn't know. She raised and eyebrow and glanced at the kitten. "Poor thing." She said tilting her head to the side. "What happened to him?" She asked her face soft.

[[scean]]

Zalika listened carefully to every word the Jellicles spoke. He wasn't planning on staying; in fact, as soon as he was healed and knew that Hedrunkus was out of the Junkyard, he was up and out of the dresser and back off to his home and his Master.

The young tom was quite surprised to find a mouse tail in his paw, however, and risked a glance at the same female kitten that had squealed at the sight of him. Zalika listened to her words, and shook his head slowly, honestly not wanting to talk to this kitten. She seemed too hyper for her own good, unlike the young queens in his tribe. The kittens in his tribe were low-lying and sly, as they were taught to be since the moment they were born. Master wouldn't have it any other way; he couldn't stand the ruckus of kittens.

Soon enough, two more females were inside the dresser as well, making Zalika cringe even more than he had with the kitten. Ugh, and he was called poor; plus, he hadn't truly been a kitten for a while now. Yes, his age said differently, but he'd been raised to never be a kitten. One of the queens was yelling, ugh. Didn't they have any respect?

-----

Hedrunkus finally reached his territory once more and slowed his movements. The black tom glanced around, then took a look at the magician in his arms. He was still sleeping like the kitten he was. Hedrunkus made his way to the warehouse where Master lived; oh, the large red tom would be very happy to see he got his prize at long last. Yes, this was a low way to do it, but since when had the Master been above such ways?

The black tom entered the large building through a hole cut into the wall and made his way toward the cage in the back of the warehouse. Crawling up the bags of sand so he could reach it, Hedrunkus slid the sleeping tom inside the magic-resistant cage, locking the door and making his way into a separate room to speak with his Master.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Etcetera reached out and stroked the kitten's uninjured ear, offering him a shy smile. "My momma's helping you now, but maybe Is can be yous' nurse when she's done. I wanna be a nurse kitty like my momma when I's growed up, so I gots to get practice."

Munkustrap reached out, clamping a paw over Rumpleteazer's mouth. "Hush, Teazer. There's an injured kitten here. Go kick him back." When it came to fights between Jerrie and Teazer, it was easier to not try and settle the issue, but let them duke it out themselves. "I don't know what happened to him, Cassie. He came into the yard like that." Munkustrap was waiting for Jelly to finish fussing over the kitten so he could question her, but at Etcetera's comments, he stared at her in some surprise. Etcetera, wanting to be a nurse? He thought she wanted to be a warrior, or a dancer, or a magician, or an explorer, or a huntress, or a sailor, or an actor... or anything but a nurse. It also wasn't like Etcy to be so calm, either... He glanced over at Cassandra, wondering if the queen was picking up on the same thing he was... did Tugger finally have a rival for Etcetera's affections?

[Arya]

Rumples eyes grew wide at Munkstraps suggestion. "Yeah! I'll go kick em' right back!" She yelled a bit more quiet this time. She marched out the door practicing her kick.

Cassie raised her eyebrow again. She bent down over the kitten to look at his wounds. "They don't look like a pollicle attacked him. Theese seem a lot like cat stratches, and the way that the wounds come so close to the lungs." She shook her head. "It just doesn't add up." She added before leaning back so that the kitten didn't feel so crowded. Cassie looked at Etcy with such a starled look it was as if she had just been dumped. "You want to be a nurse?" She asked still holding the startled look. Then it faded into her normal face, she looked from Etcy to Zalika, then to Munky with a smile. Etcy had a crush.

[[scean]]

Zalika attempted to fake a smile toward the kitten, but it turned out like more of a grimace as he turned his face away from her, shivering a little. His injuries really did hurt him - hell, he'd been beaten just to be bait to get the magician. As much as Zalika enjoyed working for the Master, he didn't like being beaten up.

With a tiny groan, Zalika turned back to... what was her name? Etcetera, that's right. He turned back to Etcetera and shook his head. "I need to sleep," he explained quietly, turning back over and curling up a little. Maybe if he slept, this entire healing process would be gone in a flash and he would be able to go home, where it was comfortable, and no one was fussing over injuries.

-----

Hedrunkus made his way to the room where his Master took residence. He knocked twice, once hard and once soft, to make his presence known before he opened the door and gave the Master a little bow.

"I have completed the mission, Master."

"Good, Hedrunkus. No one saw you, I trust?"

"No one, sir."

"Good... the magician does not know?"

"He is still asleep."

The Master nodded, taking one last quick rip at the body of the rat he held in his claws. His dark amber eyes looked almost fiery as he leaned back against the comfortable sandbags that created his throne of sorts. Macavity ruled over the Monnik tribe, having been son of Leviticus, rival of Old Deuteronomy of the Jellicles. Finally, his plan of action had succeeded. First, the magician would be gone. Then, the protector. Finally, that damned leader that refused to die already. Ugh, maybe that would have been easier... just to wait out his death.

That magician had looked familiar, though, and before he killed him, Macavity might just torture him until he revealed his true identity... that was for another time, however.

[Munkustrap Etc.]

Etcetera nodded, climbing onto the pillow and laying down next to the kitten. Whenever she felt bad, she liked it when Jemima curled up next to her and sang to her. Though she knew she wasn't as good a singer as Jemima, she knew she wasn't a bad singer either, and so she began to softly coo one of her favorite lullabies.

At that, even Jellylorum looked up, staring first at her daughter in surprise, and then at Cassandra and Munkustrap.

Munkustrap ducked his head, hiding a smile behind his paw. He shouldn't be so amused when a kitten was injured, but Jelly didn't seem to be panicking, so little Zalika wasn't near death... and the thought of Tugger losing his most devoted fangirl was quite funny.

"Why don't you stay with..."

"Zalika," Munkustrap said, offering the kitten's name to Jellylorum.

"Stay with Zalika, dear, and I'll go talk to Munkustrap and Cassandra outside. If he's feeling hurt, come and get me right away, but otherwise, you let him sleep."

Etcetera nodded, curling her tail around Zalika's back, humming the lullaby now, as Jellylorum ushered Cassandra and Munkustrap outside.